Guy-clamp



S. G. KEARNEY.

GUY CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, i920.

Panted Jan. 11, 1921.

' 2 SHEETS-SIIE'ET I.

- A ifm l S. G. KEABNEY.

GUY CLAMP. v APPLICATION FILED IUNE IvfLhLBQZChl @mm1 im 11,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gParam* OFFICE.

SAMUEL G. KEARNEY, 0F TOPEKA, KANSAS.

y vGUY-cLnAinrn Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11,149.21.

Application 1ed` .Tune 30, 1920. Serial No. 393,169.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, SAMUEL G. KEARNEY,

KVwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates 'to guy or cable clamps, and has special reference to an im provement in devices for receiving both ends of a flexible metallic loop as distinguished from clamps or checks which are constructed to simply grip. and hold the cable at one point only.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a strong and durable type of clamp thatA will withstand the strain imposed thereon without spreading or yielding, thereby maintaining a tenacious and eicient grip on the loop ends under all conditions of use. In this connection it is proposed to provide a clamp wherein the wedge is designed in such a manner asto give a'driven pressure which produces the same clamping effect on the cable as if thelclampwas drawn up with bolts. That is to say, it is proposed to provide a clamp wherein the wedge which grips the free end of the cable will effectively function under the strain of the pull on the body thereof, due to the fact that the strain on the strands of the body of the rope causes the same to stretch and reduce somewhat the diameter thereof at the point where theyare engaged by the wedge thus leaving the' free end of the rope of normal diameter and in intimate contact with the wedge, so that it may accurately take up to the thousandth' part of yan inch any slack that might be produced.

- A further and distinctive objectof `the invention is to provide a wedging abutment that is detachably interlocked withvthe sides or wings of the clamp in such a manner that the initial assembly and installation are facilitated, while at the same time the operative functioning of the wedge of the clamp causes the abutment to act as a stay or brace against transverse or lateral spreading. y i

Withthe above andother objects in view vwhich will be morereadily, apparent as the nature ofthe invention is better understood the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully pointed out, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved type of clamp illustrating its application.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation. y y

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4:-4 o Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the wedge key.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the abutment plate.Y

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modification.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the clamp shown in Fig. 7 T'Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the wedge used in the modified clamp of Fig. 7.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts `throughout the several figures of the drawings.

As previously indicated, the present invention is particularly designed to secure the ends of a cable loop in such a manner that the main lines of the cable may be readily drawn tight about a post or the like, f

but retrograde movement or creeping which would produce slack in the line is effectively resisted by the gripping action of the wedge key. Accordingly, as will be observed from Fig. l of the drawings it is proposed to provide a clamp consisting of a body 1 formed to receive two sections of the rope or cable C in such a manner that the same may be looped abouta post P or the like so thatits free end C1 may be brought back through Ithe body of the clamp to cause the operative .functioning of the wedge key.

disposed Islots 7--7 which are disposed at an y oblique angle with reference to the floor of the clamp, asv clearly shown in Fig. 3'of the drawings.

A distinctive feature of the invention is the provision of the relatively detachable abutment plate 8 of channel formation. The

total depth of this plate is such that it will clear the opening afforded by the slots '7A whereby the flanges 9 thereof may be readily moved into interlocking engagemem with the outer faces of the wings 2 and 3, when the said abutment plate is engaged by the tapering wedge key l0, as shown in Fig 4l of the drawing. lflfhen it is desired te place the ends of the cable loop within thev device it will of course be apparent that tht abutment plate 8 is removed and the ends oi the loop are placed in the channels 5 and (i in the floor of the clamp body. The abutment plate S may then be transversely placed in position through the slots 7 in such a manner that the wedge key l0 may be inserted from the rear end of the clamp and forced into; binding engagement with the ends of the loop. Any tendency of the rope to creep through the clamp will thereafter be effectively resisted by the force of the wedge key crowding between the abutmentplate and the loop-ends of the cable. And, as the wedge key further crowds into gripping position the interlocking engagement between the flanges 9 thereof and the wings of the clamp will be effectively maintained to prevent spreading of the wings 2 and 3.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 7 to l0 of the drawings, wherein the total width of the body l@ of the clamp is relatively narrow. T hat is to say, in the form of the invention shownin. the figures referred to, all of the distinctive features and characteristics of the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 6 are observed, but instead of arranging the loop ends in a horizontal position on the floor of the clamp, they are arranged vertically and in superposed relation with the same advantageous results. In this embodiment the abutment plate 8f interlocks with the wings 2a and 3a of the clamp to also prevent spreading and may be removed and replaced in position with facility through the slots 7a in the wing. At the same time the wedge key l()a grips the relatively free end portion C1 of the cable and causes the abutment plate to remain in its normal operative position.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the distinctive feature of the invention is to provide a winged clamp body having openings for receiving a relatively detachable abutment plate which is maintained in operative engagement and held against lateral displacement by the wedge key which grips the ends of the cable loop.

Another distinctive feature of the invention is lthe provision of a clamp which accommodates the ends of the loop in such a manner that the relatively free or cut end will always retain its original diameter though the portion thereof connected directly with the body may be reduced in diameterunder the strain or stress imposed `of the loop passing the wedge and connected with the main body of the cable, while the cut end of the cable retains its normal diameter due to the assistance ofthe additional friction imposed on the intermediate part of the cable as it passes around the fastening or anchoring post P.

lithout further description it is thought that the features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in form and proportion may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. A clamp of the class described including a body having upstanding .wings provided with slots, an abutment plate detachably fitted into said slots, and a wedge key operating between said plate and the rope to be clamped to maintain the plate in interlocking engagement with the wings of the body.

2. A clamp of the class described including a substantially U-shaped body, a Wedge key, and a relatively detachable abutment plate adapted to be engaged by said key whereby said plate is maintained in interlocked position withthe body.

3. A clamp of the class described including a substantially U-shaped body, an abutment plate having an interlocking engage* ment with the wings of the body to prevent spreading thereof, and a wedge key for engaging with the abutment plate to maintain the latter interlocked with the body.

4. A clamp of the class described including a substantially U-shaped body adapted to receive the ends of the cable to be clamped, a relatively detachable abutment plate adapted to be placed transversely of the body, and a wedge key adapted to be interposed between the abutment plate and the ends of the cable land engaging with the plate to hold the same in interlocking engagement with the body.

5. A clamp of the class described including a body having parallel sides provided with longitudinally disposed registering slots, a channeled abutment plate adapted to be inserted laterally through theslots into a position whereby the flanges of the channel may engage with the outer faces of the wings at the slots, and a wedge key coperating with said plate to hold the flanges hereof in engagement withthe wings of the 6. A clamp of the class described including a substantially U-shaped body having parallel grooves in the Hoor thereof and longitudinally disposed slots in the wings, an abutment plate provided with lateral upstanding flanges adapted to be inserted 1n the openings of the wings whereby the flanges may engage with the outer faces thereof, and a relatively wide wedge key also having parallel grooves and adapted to bear against the abutment plate to hold the same operative position and prevent spreadi'rgiof the win 7. A clamp of the c ass described including a eablireceiving body having opposite walls, abutment means detachably engaging with said walls, and a wedge key operating 15 between said means and the cable receivin position of the body and adapted to hold said abutment means interlookedwith the body.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my 20 signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL G. KEARNEY.

fitnesses A. H. PURDY, N. BURLEIGH. 

